Pre-tied necktie with adjustable magnetic neckstrap

ABSTRACT

A neck garment is disclosed. In one aspect, the neck garment includes a neckstrap having a first end and a second end and a pre-tied tie portion attached to the neckstrap at a location between the first end and the second end. A first magnet is located between the pre-tied tie portion and the first end and a ferrous metal is located between the pre-tied portion and the second portion. The locations of the ferrous metal and the magnet define at least one length to which the neckstrap is adjustable.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This Application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/016,433 titled “ Pre-Tied Necktie with Adjustable Magnetic Neckstrap” filed on Jun. 24, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

This specification relates to neckwear. Neckties are worn by people throughout the world, and there are various ways that a necktie can be tied. Some example knots that may be used to tie neckties are the Eldredge Knot, Trinity Knot, and Cape Knot.

SUMMARY

In general, one innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a neck garment that includes a neckstrap having a first end and a second end; a pre-tied tie portion attached to the neckstrap at a location between the first end and the second end; a first magnet located between the pre-tied tie portion and the first end; and a ferrous metal located between the pre-tied portion and the second portion, the locations of the ferrous metal and the magnet defining at least one length to which the neckstrap is adjustable.

These and other embodiments can each optionally include one or more of the following features. The pre-tied portion can include a knot portion that is formed in a shape of an Eldredge Knot, a Cape Knot, or a Trinity Knot; and an elongated portion that extends from the knot portion.

The ferrous metal can include a flexible ferrous metal mesh material that is inside the neckstrap. The flexible ferrous metal mesh material can include a continuous piece of metal mesh material that extends through more than one inch of the neckstrap. The flexible ferrous metal mesh material can include a plurality of metal strips that are spaced at locations of the neckstrap that correspond to a plurality of neckstrap sizes that result from placing the first magnet at the locations of the metal strips.

A neck garment can include an additional magnet that is located between the magnet and the pre-tied portion. The neck garment can include an eyehook slidably attached to the neckstrap between the pre-tied portion and the second end. The neck garment can include a second magnet attached to the eyehook. The second magnet can be attached to the eyehook using a button snap device having a rod that passes through a hole of the magnet and a hole of the eyehook.

The neck garment can include a T-bar attached to the second end of the neckstrap; and one or more sizing slots formed in the neckstrap, each of the sizing slots corresponding to a neckstrap length that is achieved when the T-bar is inserted into the sizing slot.

The pre-tied portion can include a bow-tie portion having a knot portion that is formed in a shape of an Eldredge Knot, a Cape Knot, or a Trinity Knot.

Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a neck garment that includes a knot portion; a first neckstrap portion extending from a first side of the knot portion; a first magnet secured to the first neckstrap portion; a second neckstrap portion extending from a second side of the knot portion; and a second magnet or metal secured to the second neckstrap portion.

These and other embodiments can each optionally include one or more of the following features. The first neckstrap portion can be shorter than the second neckstrap portion. The first neckstrap portion can be visually hidden by the knot portion when the neck garment is viewed from the front.

The neck garment can include a slider adjuster attached to the second neckstrap portion. The neck garment can include a magnet housing that houses the second magnet or metal; and a slider attached to each of the second necktie portion and the magnet housing.

The second necktie portion can be attached to a first slot of the slider and the magnet housing can be attached to a second slot of the slider.

Particular embodiments of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented so as to realize one or more of the following advantages. The neck garment facilitates convenient sizing of a neckstrap to a size of a neck. The pre-tied portion eliminates the need for a knot to be tied by a wearer of the tie. The magnetic component(s) of the neck tie enable convenient placement of the neck tie around a neck collar and convenient removal of the neck tie.

The details of one or more embodiments of the subject matter described in this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front illustration of an example necktie having an adjustable neck strap.

FIG. 2 is a rear illustration of the example necktie.

FIG. 3 is another rear illustration of the necktie.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of another example necktie.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of another example necktie.

FIG. 6A is an illustration of an example bowtie having an Eldredge Knot.

FIG. 6B is an illustration of an example bowtie having a Trinity Knot.

FIG. 6C is an illustration of an example bowtie having a Cape Knot.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a front view of another example bowtie.

Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a front illustration of an example neck tie 100 having an adjustable neck strap. The neck tie 100 has an elongated portion 102, a knot portion 104, and a neck strap 106. In some implementations, the knot portion 104 can be formed using an Eldredge Knot, a Trinity Knot, a Cape Knot, or any other type of knot. Some knot types can be difficult for a person to tie using a standard tie, such that pre-tying or otherwise pre-forming the knot portion 104 in the shape of one of these knots can allow a person to wear ties having these types of knots without having to learn to tie these types of knots.

In some implementations, the knot portion 104 of the tie 100 can be pre-tied during manufacturing. For example, a wing device 108 can be used to facilitate the forming of the knot portion 104. The wing device 108 can be, for example, a plastic (or metal) device around which portions of the tie 100 are wrapped to form a particular type of knot. When the knot is formed using the wing device 108, the wing device 108 will be covered by the knot portion 104, such that the wing device 108 is not visible (as indicated by the dotted lines).

Wing devices 108 that can be used to form the various types of knots discussed above are known in the art, and are therefore not discussed in detail in this document. For example, devices such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,628,360 entitled “Necktie Knot Form,” U.S. Pat. No. 8,267,439 entitled “Apparatus and Method for Tying a Necktie,” or U.S. Pat. No. 3,584,316 entitled “Necktie Knot Forming and Supporting Device” may be used to implement the wing device 108, and the disclosure of these patents are incorporated herein by reference. The discussion in reference to FIGS. 1-5 refer to neckties with elongated portions 102, but aspects of the discussed subject matter can also be used in combination with a bowtie, as discussed with reference to FIG. 6.

The elongated portion 102 of the tie 100 can be formed at various lengths so that when worn by a person, the tie 100 will hang down to a portion of the midsection to which the person prefers the tie 100 to hang. For example, some people prefer that an end of their tie (e.g., a tip 110 of the elongated portion 102) hang down to a location near their belly button, while other people prefer that their tie 100 hang down to a location near their belt buckle, or below. Due to differences in height of people and the different tie length preferences of different people, ties having different length elongated portions can be made so that people can wear the length tie that they prefer. In some implementations, the elongated portion may be approximately 20.5 inches, which is a common length of the elongated portion 102 when a necktie is worn. Of course, the elongated portion 102 can be different lengths (longer or shorter).

The elongated portion 102 and the knot portion 104 can be formed by a continuous piece of material. For example, a standard necktie can be used to form the elongated portion 102 and knot portion of the tie 100. In a particular example, the standard tie can be wrapped around the wing device 110 to form one of the knots discussed above. For brevity, the combination of the elongated portion 102 and the knot portion 104 are referred to as a pre-tied portion. The pre-tied portion can be attached to the neckstrap 106 in a variety of ways. For example, the pre-tied portion can be sewn to the neckstrap 106 or the pre-tied portion can include an attachment mechanism (e.g., a clip that clips to the neckstrap 106 or a rod that slides into a receiving mechanism of the neckstrap 106).

The neckstrap 106 can include two magnets 112 and 114 that can be used to secure the neckstrap 106 around a collar of a person wearing the neckstrap 106. As discussed with reference to FIG. 2, the magnet 112 can be attached to the neckstrap 106 in a variety of ways. The magnet 114 can be attached, for example, to an eyehook 116 that is slidably attached to the neckstrap 106. For example, the eyehook 116 can have a slot through which the neckstrap 106 is placed so that the eyehook 116 can slide back and forth along the neckstrap 106. The magnet 114 can be attached to the eyehook 116, for example, using glue or another material that will secure the magnet 114 to the eyehook 116.

The magnet 114 can also be attached to the eyehook using a button snap type device that secures the magnet to the eyehook using a metal (or plastic) rod that is placed through a hole 118 of the magnet and a hole of the eyehook 116. For example, as illustrated in the inset 150, a first portion 152 of a button snap device can have a rod 154 that passes through a hole 118 of the magnet 114 and a hole of the eyehook. The rod 154 is inserted into a receiving portion 156 of the button snap device, and when opposing force is applied to the first portion 152 and the receiving portion 156, the end of the rod 154 that was inserted into the receiving portion 156 will flange out to circumferential edges of the receiving portion 156 to secure the magnet 114 and eyehook 116 between the first portion 152 and the receiving portion 156.

The magnet 112 and the magnet 114 are used to secure the neckstrap 106 around the person wearing the tie 100. For example, a person can wrap the neckstrap around the collar of their shirt, and when the magnets 112 and 114 are proximate to each other, the magnetic force of the magnets 112 and 114 will cause the magnets to attract to each other, thereby securing the neckstrap 106 around the collar. As discussed in more detail below, in some implementations, only one magnet (e.g., magnet 114) is used, and other metallic materials can be used in place of the other magnet.

FIG. 2 is a rear illustration of the example necktie 100. As discussed above, the magnet 112 can be secured to the neckstrap 106 in a variety of ways. In some implementations, the magnet 112 is sewn into the neckstrap 106, for example by placing the magnet on the neckstrap 106, covering the magnet 112 with a piece of fabric, and then sewing the fabric to the neckstrap 106, as illustrated by the dashed rectangle 202. The magnet 112 can also be inserted into a pocket that is formed using the material of the neckstrap 106. For example, an end 204 of the neckstrap 106 can be folded over and sewn at the top and bottom of the neckstrap 106 to form a pocket (e.g., having an opening at the right side of the dashed rectangle 202. After the pocket is formed, the magnet can be inserted into the pocket, and the pocket can be sewn closed. In some implementations, the magnet 112 is omitted, and a ferrous metal plate or other piece of ferrous metal (e.g., flexible ferrous metal mesh) can be used in place of the magnet 112.

The rear side of the neckstrap (i.e., a side of the neckstrap 106 that faces a person's neck when worn) includes multiple sizing slots 206, 208, 210, 212, and 214 with which a length of the neckstrap 106 can be adjusted. Each sizing slot can be formed by creating a hole in a piece of fabric that is then sewn to the neckstrap 106 at various points. Alternatively, the neckstrap 106 can have multiple layers of fabric (e.g., a front layer that is formed by a portion of the fabric, and a back layer that is formed by a different portion of the fabric. In this example, the sizing slots 206, 208, 210, 212, and 214 can be created in the back layer of the neckstrap 106.

As illustrated, sizing slot 206 corresponds to a neckstrap length of 16 inches, sizing slot 208 corresponds to neckstrap length of 15 inches, sizing slot 210 corresponds to a neckstrap length of 14 inches, sizing slot 212 corresponds to a neckstrap length of 13 inches, and sizing slot 214 corresponds to a neckstrap length of 12 inches. The particular neckstrap lengths referred to in this document are provided for purposes of example only, and other lengths can be used. For example, various lengths up to 18 inches or more can be provided using sizing slots similar to those discussed in this document.

The length of the neckstrap 106 can be adjusted by inserting a T-bar 216 into the sizing slot corresponding to the length to which the neckstrap 106 is being adjusted. For example, if the neckstrap 106 is to be 15 inches long, the T-bar 216 can be inserted into the sizing slot 208. Other neckstrap lengths can be achieved by inserting the T-bar 216 into the other sizing slots.

FIG. 3 is another rear illustration of the necktie 100. As illustrated by FIG. 3, the T-bar 216 has been inserted into the sizing slot 210 to adjust the neckstrap 106 to a length of 14 inches. When the neckstrap 106 is folded back to insert the T-bar into the sizing slot 210, the eyehook 116 and magnet 114 can slide to a fold point 302 at which the neckstrap 106 was folded. Once the neckstrap 106 has been adjusted to the desired length, the neckstrap 106 can be secured around a collar by bringing the magnet 114 into proximity with the magnet 112.

FIG. 3 also shows example points at which the knot portion 104 can be secured to the neckstrap 106. For example, the knot portion 104 can be sewn to the neckstrap at points 304, 306, 308, and 310. The knot portion 104 can be secured to the neckstrap 106 at more points than shown in FIG. 3 or fewer points. As illustrated by FIG. 3, the elongated portion 102 can include a button hole 312 that enables the elongated portion 102 to be secured to a button of a button down shirt.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of another example necktie 400. The necktie 400 is similar to the necktie 100 discussed above. However, the necktie 400 includes an embedded adjustment system 402. The embedded adjustment system 402 enables the length of the neckstrap 106 to be adjusted simply by bringing the magnet 112 in contact with a portion of the embedded adjustment system 402 corresponding to the desired length of the neckstrap 106.

In some implementations, the embedded adjustment system 402 includes a metal material that is either inserted into the neckstrap 106 at various locations or that runs continuously through a portion of the neckstrap. For example, as illustrated by FIG. 4, the embedded adjustment system 402 includes metal strips 404, 406, 408, 410, and 412 that are inserted into the neckstrap 106. The metal strips 404, 406, 408, 410, and 412 are shown to be 1 inch apart (e.g., measured from center), but spacings (e.g., ¼ inch spacings) could be achieved in a similar manner.

The metal strips can be, for example, flexible metal mesh that is inserted into the neckstrap 106 or attached to the back side of the neckstrap 106. Sizing of the neckstrap 106 can be achieved, for example, by bringing the magnet 112 proximate to the metal strip corresponding to the desired neckstrap length. Therefore, sizing of the neckstrap 106 can be achieved at the time the neckstrap 106 is placed around the collar of the person wearing the necktie 400 rather than needing to be adjusted prior to wearing the necktie 400.

In some implementations, an additional magnet 414 can be used to secure the neckstrap 106 using the embedded adjustment system 402. The additional magnet 414 can be used to ensure that portions of the neckstrap 106 remain contained under the collar when smaller neckstrap lengths are used. For example, assume that the magnet 112 is placed in proximity to the metal strip 412 to achieve a neckstrap length of 12 inches. In this example, a portion of the neckstrap 106 that is located near the metal strip 404 may fall down below the collar of the person wearing the necktie 400 if that portion of the neckstrap 106 is not secured. In this example, the magnet 414 can be located in the neckstrap 106 at a location that causes the magnet 414 to be proximate to the metal strip 404 or 406 when the magnet 112 is proximate to the metal strips 410 and/or 412, thereby preventing portions of the neckstrap 106 from falling below the collar of the person wearing the necktie 400.

In some implementation, the embedded adjustment system 402 includes a continuous piece of metal that extends through a specified portion of the neckstrap 106 in order to facilitate the ability to select from a variety neckstrap lengths. FIG. 5 is an illustration of an example necktie 500 that includes a continuous piece of metal 502 in the neckstrap 106. In this example, the magnet 112 can be placed at various locations along the metal 502 to select a custom length of the neckstrap. The neckstrap 106 can again include the second magnet 414 that can secure portions of the neckstrap 106 when smaller neckstrap lengths are desired, as discussed above. The ability of a person to select “non-standard” lengths, or lengths between those provided using a T-bar, using the necktie 400 can make the necktie 400 more comfortable to wear than neckties that do not provide such custom continuous sizing options.

FIG. 6A is an illustration of a bowtie 600 having an Elderedge Knot 602. The bowtie 600 has a neckstrap 106 similar to that described above with respect to FIG. 1. In particular, the neckstrap includes two magnets 112 and 114 that can be used to secure the neckstrap 106 around a collar of a person wearing the neckstrap 106. The bowtie can also have a neckstrap similar to those described with reference to any of FIGS. 2-5. Additionally, the bowtie 600 can be formed with different types of knots. For example, FIG. 6B is an illustration of another example bowtie 620 that has a Trinity Knot 622, and FIG. 6C is an illustration of another example bowtie 640 that has a Cape Knot 642. Each of the bowtie 620 and the bowtie 640 can be used in conjunction with any of the neckstraps discussed throughout this application.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a front view of another example bowtie 700. The bowtie 700 has a first neckstrap portion 702 extending out of one side of the knot portion 704, and a second neckstrap portion 706 extending out of an opposite side of the knot portion 704. In some implementations, the first neckstrap portion 702 does not extend beyond the knot portion 704, such that the first neckstrap portion 702 is visually hidden by the knot portion 704 when the bowtie 700 is viewed from the front. The first neckstrap portion 702 can have a magnet 706 that is sewn into (or otherwise secured to) the first neckstrap portion 702. For example, a portion of the first neckstrap portion 702 can be folded over the magnet 704, and the folded over portion of the first neckstrap portion can be sewn around the magnet to house the magnet in between the folded portion of the first neckstrap portion 702 and the other portion of the first neckstrap portion 702.

The second neckstrap portion 708 can be long enough to extend beyond the knot portion 704 in a direction opposite of the direction in which the first neckstrap portion 702 extends. In some implementations, the length of the second neckstrap portion 708 can be adjusted using a slide adjuster 710. For example, an end of the second neckstrap portion 708 can be secured to (e.g., sewn around) a middle portion 712 of the slide adjuster 710, such that sliding the slide adjuster 710 towards the knot portion 704 shortens the second neckstrap portion 708, and sliding the slide adjuster 710 away from the knot portion 704 lengthens the second neckstrap portion 708. Thus, the slide adjuster 710 enables a user to adjust the second neckstrap portion 708 to any desired length. Although a particular slider configuration is shown, other configurations can be used. For example, the slider could have a single slot, instead of two slots, and both of the second neckstrap portion 708 and the magnet housing 720 could be fed through the single slot.

A magnet 714 can be slidably attached to the second neckstrap portion 708. For example, a slider 716 similar to the slide adjuster 710 can have the second neckstrap portion 716 fed through a first slot 718 of the slider 716, and have a magnet housing 720 attached to a second slot 722 of the slider 716. The magnet housing 720 can be, for example, a piece of material (e.g., material similar to the second neckstrap portion 708 that is fed through the slider 716, folded over, and sewn to secure the magnet within the magnet housing 720). Attaching the magnet housing 720 to the slider 722 enables a user to locate the magnet 714 at an end of the length of the second neckstrap portion 708. For example, after adjusting the second neckstrap portion 708 to the desired length using the slide adjuster 712, the user can wrap the second neckstrap portion around their neck, and attach the magnet 714 to the magnet 706, thereby securing the bowtie 700 around their neck without any clasps.

In some implementations, the first neckstrap portion 702 can extend beyond the knot portion 704. For example, the first neckstrap portion can be long enough to allow a user to attach the magnets 706 and 714 at a location near a back of the user's neck, or on the side of the user's neck. In some implementations, the first neckstrap portion 702 can include a slider adjuster similar to that discussed above to change a length of the first neckstrap portion 702.

Particular embodiments of the subject matter have been described. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A neck garment comprising: a neckstrap having a first end and a second end; a pre-tied tie portion attached to the neckstrap at a location between the first end and the second end; a first magnet located between the pre-tied tie portion and the first end; and a ferrous metal located between the pre-tied portion and the second portion, the locations of the ferrous metal and the magnet defining at least one length to which the neckstrap is adjustable.
 2. The neck garment of claim 1, wherein the pre-tied portion comprises: a knot portion that is formed in a shape of an Eldredge Knot, a Cape Knot, or a Trinity Knot; and an elongated portion that extends from the knot portion.
 3. The neck garment of claim 1, wherein the ferrous metal comprises a flexible ferrous metal mesh material that is inside the neckstrap.
 4. The neck garment of claim 3, wherein the flexible ferrous metal mesh material is a continuous piece of metal mesh material that extends through more than one inch of the neckstrap.
 5. The neck garment of claim 3, wherein the flexible ferrous metal mesh material comprises a plurality of metal strips that are spaced at locations of the neckstrap that correspond to a plurality of neckstrap sizes that result from placing the first magnet at the locations of the metal strips.
 6. The neck garment of claim 3, comprising an additional magnet that is located between the magnet and the pre-tied portion.
 7. The neck garment of claim 1, comprising an eyehook slidably attached to the neckstrap between the pre-tied portion and the second end.
 8. The neck garment of claim 7, comprising a second magnet attached to the eyehook.
 9. The neck garment of claim 8, wherein the second magnet is attached to the eyehook using a button snap device having a rod that passes through a hole of the magnet and a hole of the eyehook.
 10. The neck garment of claim 7, comprising: a T-bar attached to the second end of the neckstrap; and one or more sizing slots formed in the neckstrap, each of the sizing slots corresponding to a neckstrap length that is achieved when the T-bar is inserted into the sizing slot.
 11. The neck garment of claim 1, wherein the pre-tied portion comprises a bow-tie portion having a knot portion that is formed in a shape of an Eldredge Knot, a Cape Knot, or a Trinity Knot.
 12. A neck garment comprising: a knot portion; a first neckstrap portion extending from a first side of the knot portion; a first magnet secured to the first neckstrap portion; a second neckstrap portion extending from a second side of the knot portion; and a second magnet or metal secured to the second second neckstrap portion.
 13. The neck garment of claim 12, wherein the first neckstrap portion is shorter than the second neckstrap portion.
 14. The neck garment of claim 13, wherein the first neckstrap portion is visually hidden by the knot portion when the neck garment is viewed from the front.
 15. The neck garment of claim 12, further comprising a slider adjuster attached to the second neckstrap portion.
 16. The neck garment of claim 12, further comprising: a magnet housing that houses the second magnet or metal; and a slider attached to each of the second necktie portion and the magnet housing.
 17. The neck garment of claim 16, wherein the second necktie portion is attached to a first slot of the slider and the magnet housing is attached to a second slot of the slider. 